Colts' "wild" demands from Dolphins as new name emerges in Taylor chase

30 August 2023 , 18:25

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Colts' "wild" demands from Dolphins as new name emerges in Taylor chase

NFL teams battling to acquire star running back Jonathan Taylor have been met by not one, but two significant obstacles put in their way by the Indianapolis Colts.

Taylor – the 2021 rushing leader – wants out of Indy after the team decided against negotiating a long-term extension as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, and the organisation has obliged by granting him permission to seek a trade. The Miami Dolphins were reportedly among the teams interested in doing a deal for Taylor, as well as – surprisingly – the Green Bay Packers, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

But after no deal was agreed by Tuesday's final roster cutdown ahead of the new season, the Colts decided to keep Taylor on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Taylor has been on the PUP list throughout pre-season after undergoing surgery on his ankle after the conclusion of the 2022 campaign.

As a result, the trade market for Taylor is expected to slow down with suitors sure to be deterred somewhat by his unavailability for the start of the season, but reports of the Colts' demands are also sure to force some general managers away from the negotiating table.

A first-round pick, or a package of picks equating to the same value, has been mooted as Colts owner Jim Irsay's asking price to sanction Taylor's departure, but Jackson reports Indy made "wild requests" during trade talks with the Dolphins.

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That includes a frankly fanciful proposal that star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle would be sent to Lucas Oil Stadium in return for Taylor being shipped to South Florida. Waddle, 24, was the sixth-overall pick in 2021 and he has racked up 2,371 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns across his two seasons in the NFL, making him one of the best up-and-coming playmakers across the league.

The Miami Dolphins will certainly not entertain a deal involving Jaylen Waddle.

Any thought process that concluded the Dolphins would be willing to part with such an asset in return for a running back, albeit a very good one, can be filed in the "wishful" category. But it is also indicative of the awkward negotiating partner the Colts are likely to be with the Taylor trade saga set to rumble on over the coming weeks.

While Taylor, who has almost 4,000 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns across his three NFL campaigns, would be an instant upgrade on the Dolphins' backfield, the Packers' reported interest is a little more curious. The impressive tandem of Aaron Jones, 28, and AJ Dillon, 25, appears to have plenty of miles left in their legs and running back is not an obvious need at Lambeau Field.

But with Jordan Love in his first year as starting quarterback, facing the almost-impossible challenge of succeeding Aaron Rodgers, it appears the organisation is willing to be aggressive to provide him with plenty of weapons for the year ahead. Where Taylor lands in the weeks ahead remains unclear, but it is sure to be an eventful period with the Colts and Irsay involved.

Sam Frost